Percussion-fuse for explosive projectiles.



E. SCHNEIDER. PERCUSSION FUSE FOR EXPLOSIVE PROJEGTILES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 17. 1911.

Patented Feb. 6, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Em W i B. SCHNEIDER. PERCUSSION FUSE FOR EXPLOSIVE PEOJEG'IILES. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 17, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented Feb. 6, 1912.

EUGENE SCHNEIDER, 0F LE CREUZOT, FRANCE.

PERCUSSION-FUSE FOR EXPLOSIVE PROJECTILES;

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 6, 1912'.

Application filed August 17, 1911. Serial No. 644,638.

Percussion-Fuses for Explosive Projectiles,

which is fully set forth in the following specification.

This invention relates to percussion fuses for explosive projectiles and has reference to fuses in'which the plunger which is normally prevented from moving by an extensible engagin device is liberated under the influence 0 centrifugal force which separates the elements of the said engaging device. In the known fuses of this type the elements of the engaging device are liable to separate during transportation under the influence of a lateral shock.

The presentinvention has for its object a safety device for avoiding similar accidents and is characterized by the fact that itis combined with another ordinary safety device preventing the segments from separating upon firing so long as the projectile has not completed its acceleration, the combination of these two safety devices (safety device during transportation and safety device preventing premature explosion during firing) may, in accordance with the invention, be obtained either by means of a single element or by means of two cooperating elements, the device preventing bursting during firing remaining the only one operative at the propermoment in any case during the acceleration, while the other safety device is rendered inoperative by the Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing are sectional views illustrating one embodiment of the two combined safety devices in normal position and in the fuse cocked position respectively. Figs. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate a second embodiment of the inventive idea, said views being sectional elevations and showing the parts in three different positions. Figs. 6-10, inclusive, illustrate a third embodiment of the inventive idea; Fig. 6 illustrates the parts of the fuse in the position that they occupy normally and during transportation, the said view being a section on the line D-D of Fig. 10; Fig. 7 illustrates 'the parts in the position that they assume immediately after firing, and which they retain during the entire period of accelera tion, said view beingasectional elevation;

Fig. 8 is a partial sect-ion on a larger scale corresponding to Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is a sectional elevation showing the position of the parts after the separation of the segments under the influence of centrifugal force; and Fig. 10 is a section on the'line CC of Fig. 6.

In the known manner the fuse comprises a fuse body a in which there are arranged a fixed element (striker or plunger carrymg the priming). and a movable element (plunger carrying the priming or striker). In the examples represented by the drawings the striker b is supposed to be fixed while the plunger 0 carrying the priming d is assumed to be movable. This plunger, the front part of which is guided in a tubular extension at of the fuse body is normally retained in the position shown in Fig. 1 by means of segments e. By means of an inner flange 6 these segments engage in a groove 0 in the plunger where they are held engaged by a spring 7 common to them all coiled in an external groove' f in the said segments.

The elements e of the engaging device thus constituted tend to separate under the influence of a lateral shock during trans portation and, similarly, during firing they tend to separate as soon as the projectile begins to move, and this separation would result in inopportune or premature firing and bursting. In order to obviate this double inconvenience, in the example illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 the segments are combined with a safety ring g, a flange g of which is subjected to the action of a spring h which bears upon the bottom of the fuse body a. On its edge g the ring g is provided with a collar 9 the inner surface of which is inclined outward and by means of this surface it bears normally on a corresponding external inclined surface 6 of a flange e on the segments 6. Normally the mass of the ring 9 and the action of the spring 71. are added to the effect of-the spring f so as to maintain the segments 6 united and prevent their separation under the influence of a shock during transportation. On firing, the inertia of the ring y contributes to prolong this retention .until the moment when the acceleration ceasing, the predominant efl'ect of centrifugal force is sufiicient to compress the spring h and displace the ring g. The flanges e of the segjgfinally of a member for retaining the sag ments after their separation under the ina :fluence of centrifugal-forcefl .In;,fthe embodiment shown and-: the segments 0 are normally main.- tained engaged in the groove c in the plunger 0 not only by thefspring f but also.

'by-an' additional-movable ring 11 which-i11 closes them, an'exten'sion of this ringpro jecting into a safety ring g subjected totheaction of a sprmgwhich normally tends to. maintain it. in the pressed-back or inop- 'erative position Fig. 3.

' its outer face the ring 11 carriesresilient noses i cut from the metal of the ring.

Normally the ring 6 is prevented from 'displacement by means of its noses in contact with-the ring '9 inertia assumes the position indicated in Fig. 4;: a lower flange g of -this ring has then become engaged beneath the noses i.

which have yielded upon its passage; consequently thering g carries with it the ring a when at the end of the acceleration the spring h returns said ring 9 to its initial position. In this same example the fuse comprises a ring j mounted between the ring 9 and the tubular extension 0, of the "fusebody. The spring it bears upon a 001- lar 7" (Fig. 4) on this ring which normally rests upon an outer flange e of the segments. When under the influence of centrifugal force the segments 6 are separated, the flange j of the ring j is forced by the spring it behind the flanges e and prevents any accidental subsequent coming together of the" separated segments. It will be seen that in this example the safety device which is normally constituted by the ring '5 with noses z" is combined with the safety firing-device constituted by the ring g -g*. N or- 50 'mally the former of these devices is held in place by the second; on firing it is, however, rendered inoperative by ,the latter which engages and displaces it.

The embodiment illustrated in Figs. '6- 10, inclusive, differs from that of Figs. 3, 4. and 5, inthat the ring 2 -41 is replaced by a slit ring 6 of special construction. Normally an inclined surface 1--on.an internal projection 71 on this ring rests upon a corresponding conical face 2 of the plug a and by means of a forward projection 2* it embraces the segments 6. Its own resiliency maintains it engaged upon the projection2 during transportation-as shown in Fig. 6.

Projecting from When the gun is fired the ring g by its' When the projectile is fired the ring gconr presses the spring h by inertia and its rear branch in striking the projection i on the ring a? forces the latter rearward and causes it to open. On reaching the bottom of the cup provided for it in the plug a the split ring 2' under the influence of its own'elasticity engages by means of its projection 2' in the groove 3 formed beneath the projection 2 in the plug a (Fig. 8-). The ring a is'thenlocked the position illustiated in Figs. 7 and 8.

When the acceleration is finishedthe ring g yields, and resumes its initial position.

The segments e are then able to separate under the influence, of centrifugal force.

and assume the position shown in Fig. 9

in which they release the plunger d carrying the priming.

What I- claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe United States is 1. In combination, a fuse casing, a plunger, a striker mounted on one of said parts and a priming on the other, a plurality of segments engaging said plunger and movable therefrom under the influence of centrifugal force, and a spring-pressed locking element encircling said plunger and holding said'segments in engagement with said plunger in one position and out of engagement with said plunger in another position.

2. In combination, a fuse casing, a plunger, a striker mounted on one of said parts and a priming on the other, a plurality of segments engaging said plunger and movable therefrom under the influenceof centrifugal force,'and a movable spring-pressed locking element encircling said. plunger and holding said segments in engagement with said plunger in one position and out of engagement with said plunger in another position.

3. In combination, a fuse casing, a plun-- ger, a striker mounted on one of said parts and a priming on the otherfa plurality of segments engaging said plunger and movable therefrom under the influence of centrifugal force, and a spring-pressed movable locking ring holding said segments in engagement with said plunger in one position and out of engagement with said plunger in another position.

4:. In comb nation, a fuse casing, a plunger, a striker mounted on one of said parts and a priming on the other, a plurality of spring-pressed segments engaging said plunger and movable therefrom under the influence of centrifugal force, and a springpressed movable locking ring engaging said segments.

5. In'combination, a fuse casing, a plunger, a striker mounted on one of said parts and a priming on the other, a plurality of segments engaging said plunger and mov able therefrom under the influence ofcentrifugal force, a shoulder provided on each segment, and a locking ring associated with said segments and provided with a projection which engages the shoulders on the segments.

6. Incombination, a fuse casing, a plunger, a striker mounted on one of said parts and a priming on the other, a plurality of segments engaging said plunger and movable therefrom under the influence of centrifugal force,-a shoulder provided on each segment, and a movable spring-pressed lock-' ing ring associated with said segments and provided with a projection which engages the shoulders on the segments.

7 In combination, a fuse casing, a plunger, a striker mounted on one of said parts and a priming on the other, a plurality of segments engaging said plunger and movable therefrom under the influence of centrifugal force, a locking elementengaging said segments, a second locking element normally engaging said segments, and

means automatically removing the latterand a priming on the other, a plurality of segments engaging-said plunger and movable therefrom under the influence of centrifugal force, a locking element engaging said segments, a second locking element provided with a resilient portion normally engaging said segments,'and means automatically removing the latter from engagement with said. segment during the flight of the projectile.

10. In combination, a fuse casing, a plunger, a striker mounted on one of said parts and a priming on the other, a plurality of segments engaging said plunger of centrifugal force, a locking element en gaging said segments, a second locking element normally engaging said segments, a movable member operative to remove said second locking element from looking engagement with said segments, and means automatically maintaining said second locking element'in its disengaged position.

12. In combination, a fuse casing, a plunger, a striker mounted on one of said parts and a priming on the other, a plurality of segments engaging said plunger and movable therefrom under the influence of centrifugal force, a locking element engaging said segments, a second locking element normally engaging said segments, and a movable member automatically operated to remove said second locking element from looking engagement with said segments and to maintain said element in its disengaged position.

13. In combination, a fuse casing, a plunger, a striker mounted on one of said parts and a priming on the other, a plurality of segments engaging said plunger and movable therefrom under the influence of centrifugal force, a ring engaging said segments, a second ring normally engaging said segments, and means automatically removing the latter f-rom engagement with said segments.

14. In combination, a fuse casing, a plunger, a striker mounted on one of said parts and a priming on the other,.a plurality of segments engaging said plunger and movable therefrom under the influence of centrifugal force, a ring engaging said segments, a second ring normally engaging said segments, means automatically removing the latter from engagement with said segments, and means maintaining said second ring in its disengaged position.

15. In combination, a fuse casing, a plunger, a striker mounted on one of said parts and a priming on the other, a plurality of segments engaging said plunger and movable therefrom under the influence of centrifugal force, a locking ring engaging said segments, a second ring provided with a resilient portion normally engaging said segments, and means automatically removing the latter from engagement with said segments during the flight of the projectile.

16. In combination, a fuse casing, a plunger, a striker mounted on one of said parts and a priming on the other, a plurality of .segments engaging said plunger and movable therefrom under the influence of centrifugal force, a locking ring engaging said segments, a second ring normally engaging said segments, and a movable member operative to remove said second ring from looking engagement with said segments.

17. In combination, a fuse casing, a plunger, a striker mounted on one of said parts muzand a priming on 'the other," a plurality of segments engaging said plunger and movable therefrom under the influenceof centrifilgal force, a locking ring engaging said 1 automatically maintaining said second ring 10 inits disengaged position.

18. In-c0mbin tion,'a fuse casing, a plun- Igemja striker mounted on one of said-parts.

and a'priming'on the other, a plurality'of: segments engaging said plunger and mo' {i5 able therefrom *under thel infliieneeof cenf trifugal force, a locking ring engagingtsaid segments, a second locking ing normally engaging said Se'gn1ent$',,; and a movable. member automatically. operated to remove saidsecond ring from: lockingengagementi with said segmentsl'and to 'maintain sa d second ring in its disengaged-position; In testimony whereof I have'gsigned this specification in the presencezfbi htwdssub scribing witnesses.

EUGENEI- Witnesses: v

DEAN. B. MAsoN, 

